Prayers For A Hungry Ghost

Shattering, sardonic, funny and tender, this ensemble production combines horror, physical performance, live cinema and Chinese mythology to bring audiences into 'the realm of hungry ghosts'.

In Chinese mythology, 'hungry ghosts' are the reincarnated souls of those who were selfish, envious or greedy. These beings have large, insatiable bellies and flames in their mouths, turning everything they eat into ash.

Darkly comedic and haunting, this mesmerising piece of physical theatre is a family drama set in the underworld, exploring the intergenerational trauma born from the pressure of meeting society's impossible standards.

Big Sister and Little Sister's lives spiral in opposite directions: one is a celebrated classical pianist under pressure, while the other succumbs to a mysterious illness that ravages her soul. Can their unbreakable bond help them escape?

KISS WITNESS, a multi-award-winning company led by Barbican OpenLab alumni Elisabeth Gunawan, creates spaces of belonging for those who lack them in real life.

Running time: approximately 70 minutes (no interval)

Age guidance: 14 +
This show contains a haze effect, coarse language, sexually suggestive scenes, depictions of violence, themes of bereavement and complex family dynamics, as well as horror imagery that some viewers may find distressing.

This show is performed in English, Mandarin, Cantonese and Malay. Surtitles will be available. 

Post-show talk
Thu 30 Oct, free to same-day ticket holders. 

Captioned performance 
Fri 31 Oct, 7.45pm

Creative team

Elisabeth Gunawan, Sook Kuan Tang, Daniel York Loh Performers/Devisers

Matej Matejka Movement Direction

Elisabeth Gunawan, Matej Matejka Directing Team

LI YILEI Sound & Music

Erin Guan Video & Set Design

Aya Nakamura Puppetry

Ezra Barnard Costume Design

Elisabeth Gunawan Writer

Photo by Genevive Reeves